Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLionel Messi equalled the all-time World Cup top goalscorer record, reaching 16 goals, after scoring a hat-trick for Argentina against Algeria in Kansas City. The 38-year-old's three goals moved him level with Germany's Miroslav Klose, surpassing Brazil's Ronaldo. This marked Messi's first World Cup hat-trick and his fifth tournament with a goal, a feat only matched by Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi scored with a powerful strike, an instinctive rebound, and a trademark sweeping finish from outside the box. He was substituted in the 79th minute to a standing ovation, with his next match scheduled against Austria on 22 June in Dallas. In fullLionel Messi equals World Cup top goalscorer record after stunning Argentina hat-trickThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick and matched Miroslav Klose's career scoring record before thousands of Argentina fans packed into Arrowhead Stadium for a…

Lionel Messi received a standing ovation as he left the field after scoring his first ever World Cup hat-trick in Argentina's clash with Algeria.

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 16 : Lionel Messi equalled the men's World Cup all-time scoring record with a hat-trick in Argentina's opener against Algeria on Tuesday, matching…

Lionel Messi achieved a remarkable hat-trick in Argentina's World Cup debut against Algeria. This dominant performance saw the veteran player equal Miroslav Klose's all-time World…

Lionel Messi piled up the records as he scored all three goals for Argentina in their 2026 World Cup opener against Algeria on Tuesday, becoming the first player to feature in six…

Lionel Messi matches Miroslav Klose's World Cup goalscoring record with a hat-trick in Argentina's opening match against Algeria.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Lionel Messi delivered his first World Cup hat trick while matching Miroslav Klose's career tournament scoring record Tuesday ni...

Argentina’s global superstar becomes oldest player to score tournament hat-trick as defending champions get off to a strong start in Group J.

Argentina’s global superstar scores stunning first as defending champions get tournament off to strong start in Group J.

Lionel Messi nets his first World Cup hat-trick to move level with Miroslav Klose as the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer as Argentina thrash Algeria 3-0 in Kansas City

The 38-year-old hit a hat-trick in Kansas City to move level with Miroslav Klose on 16 goals as the highest scorer in Word Cup history

Lionel Messi’s left-footed strike in the 76th minute Tuesday night against Algeria completed a sensational hat trick and boosted the Argentina star to 16 career goals at the…

KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 16 : Lionel Messi earned a spot in the World Cup history books with a hat-trick that saw Argentina begin the defence of their title with an emphatic…

Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria…

Lionel Messi became the equal record goalscorer at the men's World Cup with three goals against Algeria

Lionel Messi hits historic World Cup hat trick vs Algeria to become joint all-time top scorer with 16 goals and the oldest player to net a finals treble.

The hat-trick took Lionel Messi to 16 World Cup goals, drawing him level with Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in the tournament's history. | Football News

Argentina's Lionel Messi completed his first World Cup hat-trick at the 76th minute to tie with Germany's Miroslav Klose as the tournament's joint-top scorer with a record 16…

Lionel Messi scores a hat-trick, tying the World Cup goals record as Argentina defeats Algeria 3-0.

Lionel Messi added yet another extraordinary chapter to his storied career, scoring his first-ever World Cup hat-trick to lead defending champions Argentina to a commanding 3-0…